For the first time, the structure of the community marine nematodes in particular was examined in the different intertidal zones of Jeju Island (South Sea of Korea). Sixty eight species belonging to 60 genera and 19 families of nematodes were found in the whole area. Dominant feeding groups in this nematode community were omnivores (2B) and epistratum-feeders (2A). The highest number of nonselective deposit-feeders (1B) was detected in the lagoon with the bottom silty sediments. The highest number of non-selective deposit-feeders (1B) was detected in the lagoon with the bottom silty sediments. As a result of cluster analysis, four taxocenosis of nematodes were defined and they were clearly distinguished by four types of the intertidal zone with different granulometric composition of benthic sediments. The sediment type is a major factor that determines the structure and distribution of meiobenthos communities of Jeju Island.
This research was supported by the project ARCP2010-18NMY-Lutaenko.